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Guardiola in nightmare return to Barcelona

Press Association 19/10/2016Andy Hampson

Pep Guardiola defended his judgment after his Barcelona homecoming ended in a nightmare 4-0 thrashing for Manchester City.

The City manager's decision to leave out Sergio Aguero backfired while Claudio Bravo, the goalkeeper in whom he has invested much trust, was also sent off in a Champions League mauling at the Nou Camp.

Lionel Messi took full advantage to help himself to a hat-trick while Neymar, who also missed a penalty, added the fourth goal late on.

Asked if the defeat was his worst in football, Guardiola said: "No, that was against Real Madrid for Bayern Munich, because in that moment I didn't make the correct decisions.

"We lost the game 4-0, yes, but we are a new club, we are getting to know each other. We are a club that for 35 years was not in Europe."

On Aguero's omission, the former Barcelona boss said: "It was my idea. I wanted one more midfield player in that position and that was the reason why. I spoke with him and he was good."